Charlotte Hornets vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick & Prediction 3/30/25
Tip-off for this non-conference matchup between the Hornets and Pelicans is scheduled for 7:00 ET. The Hornets are currently on a four-game losing streak and are 14th in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans are 14th in the Western Conference and have lost three straight.
New Orleans is favored by three points and is -145 on the moneyline. The over/under line is set at 213.5. Gulf is televising this game, which will be played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Charlotte Hornets +3
This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 7:00 ET on Sunday, March 30th.
WHY BET THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 67-65 in favor of the Pelicans.
- Our projections have Jordan Hawkins finishing with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assists.
- From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.5% and knocking down 7 threes.
Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Charlotte?
The Hornets fell to 18-55 on the season after a 108-97 road loss to the Raptors on Friday. Charlotte entered the game as +5.5 underdogs and failed to cover the spread, while the total points of 205 fell short of the 215 O/U line.
Toronto broke the game open with a 10-0 run early, but Charlotte responded by outscoring the Raptors 27-17 in the 2nd quarter. However, the Hornets couldn’t keep the momentum, as they were outscored 34-25 in the 3rd quarter and couldn’t close the gap in the 4th.
The Hornets struggled offensively in their 108-97 loss to the Raptors, shooting just 40.6% from the field and hitting only 9 threes at a 29% clip. Mark Williams led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 100% from the field.
DaQuan Jeffries added 15 points, knocking down 3 threes at 60%, while KJ Simpson also hit 3 triples at 60% and finished with 14 points. Williams scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, while Miles Bridges added 4 of his 11 points in the final period.
Defensively, the Hornets had a strong 2nd quarter, holding the Raptors to just 17 points, but they struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 32 and 34 points, respectively. Overall, they allowed 108 points on 44% shooting from the field.
Charlotte did a good job defending the three, as Toronto made 14 threes on 31% shooting. The Raptors also went to the line 15 times, making 10 free throws. The Hornets grabbed 43 defensive rebounds while allowing 11 offensive boards, and they recorded 5 steals and 5 blocks.
Do the Pelicans Have What it Takes at Home?
The Pelicans fell to 20-54 on the season after a 111-95 home loss to the Warriors on Friday. New Orleans entered the game as +16 point underdogs and the final score matched that spread. The combined score of 206 points was well below the O/U line of 226.5.
New Orleans got off to a strong start, leading 28-21 after the 1st quarter. However, Golden State chipped away at the lead, and the Pelicans trailed 83-82 going into the 4th quarter. The Warriors dominated the final period, outscoring New Orleans 28-13 to seal the win.
The Pelicans struggled offensively in their 95-point effort against the Warriors, shooting just 40.7% from the field and hitting only 7 threes at a 30.4% clip. Bruce Brown led the way with 18 points, including 10 in the opening quarter.
Yves Missi added 12 points, with 8 coming in the 2nd quarter, while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Keion Brooks each contributed 11 points, with Brooks scoring 8 in the 3rd quarter.
Defensively, the Pelicans held the Warriors to 111 points on 41% shooting, including a 23% mark from three-point range, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. New Orleans gave up 21 points in the 1st quarter but allowed 33 in the 3rd.
The Pelicans sent the Warriors to the line 29 times, where they hit 22 free throws. New Orleans finished with 32 defensive rebounds but allowed 18 offensive boards. They also recorded 6 steals and 5 blocks.